A novel one-dimensional complex: catena-poly[[manganese(III)-di-mu-2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)iminomethyl]phenolato-kappa2O1,N:kappaO2;kappaO2:kappa2O1] chloride].

In the title one-dimensional complex, [[Mn(III)(C9H10NO2)2]Cl]n, the Schiff base ligand 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)iminomethyl]phenolate (Hsae-) functions as both a bridging and a chelating ligand. The Mn(III) ion is six-coordinated by two N and four O atoms from four different Hsae- ligands, yielding a distorted MnO4N2 octahedral environment. Each [Mn(III)(Hsae)2]+ cationic unit has the Mn atom on an inversion centre and each [Mn(III)(Hsae)2]+ cation lies about another inversion centre. The chain-like complex is further extended into a three-dimensional network structure through Cl...H-O hydrogen bonds and C-H...pi contacts involving the Hsae- rings.